Finding Center On Scope

[fredhorace77]

Is there any trick or method out there that will find the exact middle of the turrets? I normally just run the turret all the way in and count the revolutions out to max then split it in half. I think I remembered reading an article some where years ago, about being able to use a mirror some how and a flashlight. If I remember correctly you used the flashlight to shine the reticle back onto the mirror
and turned the turrets until the image matched.

 

[savagedasher]

Is there any trick or method out there that will find the exact middle of the turrets? I normally just run the turret all the way in and count the revolutions out to max then split it in half. I think I remembered reading an article some where years ago, about being able to use a mirror some how and a flashlight. If I remember correctly you used the flashlight to shine the reticle back onto the mirror
and turned the turrets until the image matched.

 

[savagedasher]

That is center but you should watch the cross hairs move. Some will over ride or the turret turns and the cross hairs don't But your doing it right. Larry

 

[fredhorace77]

That is center but you should watch the cross hairs move. Some will over ride or the turret turns and the cross hairs don't But your doing it right. Larry

OK thank you. I really don't have a need to be dead on exact center. But for all practical purposes I like it. It will let me know how out of wack my bases and barrels are.

 

[RockyMtnMan]

Is there any trick or method out there that will find the exact middle of the turrets? I normally just run the turret all the way in and count the revolutions out to max then split it in half. I think I remembered reading an article some where years ago, about being able to use a mirror some how and a flashlight. If I remember correctly you used the flashlight to shine the reticle back onto the mirror
and turned the turrets until the image matched.

If you have a good optic, the turret should move the reticle all the way from the very bottom click to the very top click where it stops.The mirror method works, but finding optical center is left up to the perception of your eye. A few clicks up or down from center can still look like center, and especially so if using a 1/8 MOA turret. So I like splitting the number of adjustment clicks in half, it's much more accurate when finding true optical center. Like others said, just make sure the turret is moving to the very last click in both directions. Check for movement a few clicks up and down from the bottom stopping point and a few clicks up and down from the top stopping point. The middle doesn't really matter because it is surely moving there.

Repeat the same thing with the windage and you will be dead center.

 

[Lightload]

I just put the objective lens right up against the bathroom mirror. Look thru the scope and you'll see the reticle and the reflection of the reticle. Turn the knobs until you only see one reticle and your done. This method won't work on metal or thin glass mirrors. The glass has to thick enough so some light can still get in thru the objective lens.

 

[CaptainMal]

Wish I could figure out how to do a short video of that. Thought it was BS. Thought wrong.

Took a spare scope and tried it with a bathroom mirror. It works. Thanks.

 

[BoydAllen]

I made a wood V block setup that mounts on a camera tripod. Using it, I rotate the scope and observe the motion of the intersection of the cross hairs. Adjustments are made to the turrets until the intersection does not move as the scope is rotated. I have not tried the mirror trick. I will have to do that and then see what the result is by using my fixture.

 

[fredhorace77]

I made a wood V block setup that mounts on a camera tripod. Using it, I rotate the scope and observe the motion of the intersection of the cross hairs. Adjustments are made to the turrets until the intersection does not move as the scope is rotated. I have not tried the mirror trick. I will have to do that and then see what the result is by using my fixture.

I like this. That was a method I've never heard of or thought of...thanks so much

 

[mmcu]

Using a mirror worked as described. Thanks for the tip!

 

[brokeasajoke]

I've used the mirror trick several times.

 

[normmatzen]

Boyd,
I guess great minds think alike!
That is the same way I center my scopes also!

 

[spclark]

Boyd,
I guess great minds think alike!
That is the same way I center my scopes also!

I've done that too, but with a small cardboard box; you cut two V's on opposite sides of a box with sides that will fit either side of your turret box. Aligned on a paster ten or fifteen feet away, you rotate scope whilst watching the crosshairs. When truly centered, crossed hairs of reticle will remain stationary as you rotate scope body.

I have to try mirror trick, that's just too simple & easy to believe until I see it work!

 

[fredhorace77]

For some reason the mirror trick is not matching up center with just running the turrets all the way one direction and splitting their revs, in half. I havent got a chance to try boyds method yet, but I suspect it to be the only way to truly verify that the reticle is ceneter. Of course I'm doing mine on a Burris with the ballistics plex reticle and Im not sure if this type of reticle uses the main cross hair intersection as center.